SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS MANDATE OF UNOMIL UNTIL 31 AUGUST
Press Release
SC/6230
SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS MANDATE OF UNOMIL UNTIL 31 AUGUST
19960531 Resolution 1059 (1996), Adopted Unanimously, Demands Restoration of Cease-Fire, Withdrawal from MonroviaThe Security Council this morning extended the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL) until 31 August. It demanded that the parties restore the cease-fire, withdraw all fighters and arms from Monrovia and restore that city as a safe haven. It also demanded that they allow the deployment of the Economic Community of West African States' Monitoring Observer Group (ECOMOG).
Through its unanimous adoption of resolution 1059 (1996), the Council called on the Liberian parties to implement fully and expeditiously all their commitments, particularly the Abuja Agreement, on which the Liberian peace process is based. It condemned all attacks against ECOMOG, UNOMIL and humanitarian personnel and called for the immediate return of looted property. It demanded that the factions strictly respect their status and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The deterioration of the security situation had warranted the Secretary- General's temporary reduction of UNOMIL's strength, the Council recognized. It asked that he advise it of any significant planned increase in the number of personnel deployed. It also expressed its readiness, should the situation deteriorate further, to consider possible measures against those who did not cooperate with the resumption of the peace process.
The Council recalled the obligation of all States to comply strictly with the arms embargo. It urged them to provide financial, logistical and other support for ECOMOG and to continue contributing to the United Nations trust fund for Liberia. It supported the resolve of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) not to recognize any Government that came to office by force, and called on ECOMOG to provide for the security of UNOMIL observers and civilian staff, as provided for in the Cotonou Agreement.
In considering the matter, the Council had before it a report of the Secretary-General (document S/1996/362), in which he states that since fighting broke out on 6 April, the Liberian faction leaders had clearly
disregarded the people's aspirations for peace, shown wanton disrespect for the United Nations, the ECOWAS and the international community, and forced most international personnel to relocate to other countries.
In early August, ECOWAS will reconsider its involvement in Liberia, the Secretary-General states. If ECOMOG withdraws, UNOMIL will have to do the same, with catastrophic results for the country and the subregion. He urges the faction leaders to consider carefully the consequences of their actions. Based on ECOWAS' decision and the situation on the ground, he will recommend what role UNOMIL might play after 31 August.
The meeting, which was called to order at 11:10 a.m., was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
Resolution Adopted
The resolution adopted by the Council reads as follows:
"The Security Council,
"Recalling all its previous resolutions concerning the situation in Liberia, in particular resolution 1041 (1996) of 29 January 1996,
"Having considered the report of the Secretary-General dated 21 May 1996 (S/1996/362) on the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL),
"Stressing that the escalating violence is in violation of the Abuja Agreement (S/1995/742, annex) and puts the peace process at grave risk,
"Firmly convinced of the importance of Monrovia as a safe haven, and noting especially the recent broader deployment of ECOMOG in the city,
"Emphasizing once again that the people of Liberia and their leaders bear the ultimate responsibility for achieving peace and national reconciliation,
"Commending the positive role of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in its continuing efforts to restore peace, security and stability in Liberia,
"Noting the adoption of a Mechanism for Returning Liberia to the Abuja Agreement by the ECOWAS Foreign Ministers on 7 May 1996,
"Expressing its appreciation to those African States that have contributed and are contributing troops to the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG),
Security Council - 3 - Press Release SC/6230 3671st Meeting (AM) 31 May 1996
"Commending also those Member States that have supported the peace process and ECOMOG, including through contributions to the trust fund for Liberia,
"Stressing also that the presence of UNOMIL in Liberia is predicated on the presence of ECOMOG and its commitment to ensure the safety of UNOMIL military observers and civilian staff,
"1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General dated 21 May 1996;
"2. Decides to extend the mandate of UNOMIL until 31 August 1996;
"3. Recognizes that the deterioration of the security situation on the ground warranted the Secretary-General's decision to temporarily reduce the strength of UNOMIL;
"4. Notes the Secretary-General's intention to maintain UNOMIL deployments at their present level and requests that he advise the Security Council of any significant planned increase in the number of personnel deployed depending on the evolution of the security situation on the ground;
"5. Expresses its grave concern at the collapse of the cease-fire, the resumption of hostilities and the spread of fighting into the previously safe area of Monrovia and its environs;
"6. Condemns all attacks against personnel of ECOMOG, UNOMIL, and international organizations and agencies delivering humanitarian assistance as well as the looting of their equipment, supplies and personal property, and calls for the immediate return of looted property;
"7. Demands once more that the factions in Liberia strictly respect the status of ECOMOG and UNOMIL personnel, as well as international organizations and agencies delivering humanitarian assistance throughout Liberia, and further demands that these factions facilitate such deliveries and that they strictly abide by the relevant rules of international humanitarian law;
"8. Calls upon the Liberian parties to implement fully and expeditiously all the agreements and commitments they have already entered into, in particular the Abuja Agreement, and in this regard demands that they restore an effective and comprehensive cease-fire, withdraw all fighters and arms from Monrovia, allow the deployment of ECOMOG, and restore Monrovia as a safe haven;
"9. Stresses that continued support by the international community for the peace process in Liberia, including the participation of UNOMIL, is
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contingent on the Liberian parties' demonstrating their commitment to resolve their differences peacefully and on the fulfilment of the conditions set out in paragraph 8;
"10. Stresses the importance of respect for human rights in Liberia;
"11. Recalls the obligation of all States to comply strictly with the embargo on all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Liberia imposed by resolution 788 (1992) of 19 November 1992 and to bring all instances of violations of the embargo before the Committee established pursuant to resolution 985 (1995) of 13 April 1995;
"12. Encourages the members of ECOWAS in preparation for their summit to consider ways and means to strengthen ECOMOG and to persuade the faction leaders to resume the peace process;
"13. Urges all Member States to provide financial, logistical and other assistance in support of ECOMOG to enable it to carry out its mandate;
"14. Calls on ECOMOG, in accordance with the agreement regarding the respective roles and responsibilities of UNOMIL and ECOMOG in the implementation of the Cotonou Agreement (S/26272) and with the UNOMIL concept of operations, to provide for the security of UNOMIL observers and civilian staff;
"15. Expresses support for the resolve of the ECOWAS Ministers not to recognize any Government in Liberia that comes to office through the use of force;
"16. Urges Member States to continue to provide additional support for the peace process in Liberia by contributing to the United Nations trust fund for Liberia;
"17. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to keep the Security Council closely informed of the situation in Liberia, and expresses its readiness, if the situation further deteriorates, to consider possible measures against those who do not cooperate with the resumption of the peace process;
"18. Decides to remain seized of the matter."
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